Milker pulsator timer



W. H. HARSTICK MILKER PJ LSATOR TIMER Aug. 30, 1949.

5 Sheets-Sneet 2 Filed Nov. 7, 1945 Aug- 30, 1949- w. H. HARsTlcK MILKERPULSATOR TIMER Filed Nov. '7, 1945.

3 Sheets-Sneet 3 zvice therefor.

' 'In the drawings,

Patented Aug. 30, 1949 UNITED sTATs PATENT OFFICE MILKER rULsA'ron 'mmmI William H. Harstick, Richmond, Ind., assignor to InternationalHarvester Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application November 7,1945, serial No. 627,197

. 14 Claims. l

This invention relates to a pulsator for milk- "ers. More specifically,it relates to a particular type of slide-valve pulsator and to a timingde- The pulsator of the present application operates generally accordingto the same principles utilized in the conventional pulsators now widelyused for milking machines. The particular type disclosed inthisiapplicatio'n is similar in several respects to the pulsator shownin the Anderson Patent 1,113,942. In this type two reciprocating valvemembers are utilized, one being a free piston and the other beingconnected to and operated by a diaphragm. o

A principal object of the present invention is p to provide an improvedpulsator of the sliding piston valve type.

Another principal object is to provide a timing device for a pulsatorwhich gives an audible signal at the termination of a preselected timeinterval.

A subsidiary object is to provide a timing device for a pulsator whichemits an audible signal without stopping or otherwise interfering withthe operation of the pulsator.

i Other objects will appear from the disclosure.V

According to the present invention, a single diaphragm is attached tothe end of a piston type slide valve which in turn controls theapplication of different pressures to the ends of a second free pistonslide valve. The entire pulsatoi' is so constructed that there is aminimum of parts and so that manufacture may be facilitated To providefor the timing feature of the present invention and the emission of anaudible signal at the exniration of the predetermined time interval, arotatable element is provided with a ratchet mechanism Operating by thesamepulsations utilized in the milking operation. Power for said deviceis therefore furnished by the Vacuum producing means which operates thepulsator. By a very simple mechanism the ratchet device `Qperates the'rotatable member, sufficiently small teeth being provided so that onecomplete cycle of the rotating member gives the maximum;

time interval required for any milking operation. Indexng members areprovided whereby the rotatable member may set for any given timeinterval below the maximum, at the termination of which communication ismade between;` 'the vacuum Chamber in the pulsator bodyand theatmosphere, a sound-producing device being mterposed whereby a whistleor a similar audible signal is produced. i o

Figura 1 is a plan view broken away in horlzontal section to betterillustrate the ratchet operating mechanism;

lFigure 2 is a partial elevation with a portion of the casing brokenaway to better show the ratchet mechanism, and with a portion of thepulsator further broken away to show the internal structure thereof;

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the pulsator shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a section takenon of Figure 3; I

Figure 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3; i

Figure 6 is a section taken on Figure 3;

Figure '7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the une 4-4 the iine 8-8of the operation of the pulsator shown in the previous gures;

20 Figure 8 is a section taken on the line 8-8 of 'the bottom of'thepulsator.

Figure 5; and

Figure 9 is a section taken on ure 5. I

As shown in the drawings, a pulsator unit isl line 9-9 of Fig- 26 builtaround a cast-metal body designated in its entirety by the referencecharacter Ill. Said body casting is formed with a plurality of bores andVcored passages to provide for the moving parts of the pulsator and forthe distribution of fluid i plying vacuum to the pulsator body. Saidfit- `vting'is provided internally with a bore |5 which provides aconduit connecting with a large conical shaped cavity IG extendingupwardly from Said cavity vis adapted to fit in an air-tight manner on aconical projection |1 extending from a milk-pail cover. The cavity IB isjoined with an upwardly extendng cylindrical bore l8 which connects witha cored passage |9 extending across the pulsator body parallel to thebase Il. Said passage 19 intersects a cylindrical central bore 20extending vertically through the pulsator body and a spaced Verticalcylindrical bore 2| also extending through the pulsator body.

o The bores 2D and 2| extend through an upper wall 22 integral with thepulsator body, the upper end of the bore 2| being closed by a sealingmemv ber f'2l'. The wall 22 is provided withacylindri- :portion`'9c'fromthe cylindric'al 'portion=58. 'An

formed in'the pulsatonbody as will be 'herein- 'after described. i

cal fiange 33 which forms a portion of a diaphragm Chamber '24 at theupper portion of the p-ulsator body. The fiange 23 is connected with aradia11y extending fiange 25 for purposes to bo hereinafter described.

A pair of fittings or nipples 26 and 2? are formed integral with thebase .i extendine' diametrical'ly .oppos'ite -'withr`respect tofthe'fitting '11%. The nipple 28 is provided internally with a bore 29 coredin the pulsator body and coinn'iunicat-` ing with a Vertical bore 29.The nipple 21 is provided with a bore 30 communicating'iiwith iaVertical bore 3|. As best shown in l-T'igure 4, the bore 3! terminatesat its uppejend transverse passage 32 which intersects'theibore'ZL Asalso shown in Figure 4, the Vertical Vbore 29 extends upwardly to thetopzivai'tz? oifthe pulsator body, being connected by a laterally tezatending passage 33, with the bore 2 l "o As best show in Fgure 5, alaterally extending passage '34 int'ersects -t'he bores 'e20 and:terminating at 35 'in com'municationdwith the atmosphere around thepulsator body. A passa'gef-'l also intersects the `bores'z'l] and *21;terminafting with a'sideopening which'commun-icatesrwith 'the atmospherearound the pulsator v3body.

also shown in Figuref, a v`laterally extending'pasu Sage 39vintersects aborell --and 'the Vertical bore 2 l A transverse passage 4| communicatesVwith the bore`20 and with a kVertical bore 142. Said bore 42V extendsthrough the upper fwa'll 22 and is closed by a'p`1ugv43. Atransversebore=44 communicates with the bore 42 .and withftheflboreli'll neartheir upper ends. W

A v-flexble diaphragm 45 Afitted aaainstgthe flangeisissecured by .afitting 46 'having a 'bore 41 therein to a cylindrical slide valve 48which Qperates ,as 4aplungferin the .central bore 20. Said plunger isprovided with a head portionJ49 at, its Vlower `end whichslidablyfitsinra .substantially airtight manner in the bottom of the 'bore 20.

:A= second pistonsportion. having. acy1indrica1 con- .tact surface .50is fiormedon the valve '48 spaced l-cooperate with the .transverse,pamages .formed infthe pulsatorbody, as will-be hereinafter described.a I A 'free slide valve :56 is mounted .for recprocating :in the bore2|. VSaid valve .is provided with a .cylindrical contact portion `51,,.a-second .spaced .cylindrical -contact-portion. i, a .third .cy-

'-lindrical contact'portien 5.9 and .a fourthcylindrical contact-portion- 60. An annular recess 5| l:separates `theportion '60 :from theportionl 5:9.

An annular recess '62 separates the cylindrical annular recess'63separates the contact'portion '58 from the contact portion'51. Saidslidelvalve also cooperates with the transverse Vpassages A cap 10mounted voverthe diaph'ragm 45 has a flange 1| mating Vwith thefiange25. Suitable' means aresprovided for clamping the'two fianges `togetheragainst the peripheral edge of the dia- Dhragm which acts as a gasket toprovide the naled in a,.boss |03 4 Chamber 24 on one side of the gasketand a. chamber 12 in the cap 10.

The cap 10 is provided with a fiattened pOrtion 13 at the top, to whicha cover and indi- 5 cator member is secured. Between said member and theflat portion 13 a spring device 15 is fitted, said device having fingerportions which ;extend raldially'foutwardly for a purpose to behereinafter 'descr'bed The member '14 is secured 10 in position byscrews 16.

A member 11, which can be considered as a J ucaphasa cylindrical wallportion 18 and an .annular top wall 194 joined to the cylindrical wall.'Said annularwalkfi'ts around the flattened por- '15 tion113of-the .cap10, and the spring fingers 15 abut the outer surface of the annular wallto .IJhe cylindrical wall 18 is of the same diameter as a cylindricalV-.wall which fits in the annular recess l2 and slidably engages theperiphery -of `the flange 125. The cap 11 is loosely V`fitted so that it'may be readily rotated and 'will be hereinafter described. i

An annular Vmember 8| right-ang'led in cross section is fit'ted withinthe cap 11 `and secured thereto in an air-tight manner to provide a'compartment 82, The horizontal lower portionf83 of said member isadapted to abut upwardlyf'ex- Vten'dingf projections 85 formed on orsecured to the cap 10. Preferably three of these'projections are formedalthough Only Vone is illustrated in 'the drawing. Said projections forma bearing surface on which the cap 11 is rotatable. The 'projection l85illustrated is' formed internally 'with `35 a`bore-*86 which registerswith a bore v81 formed in aportion 88 of the pulsator body-10. The -bore81Acommunicates with the bore l8 which at all timesris under vacuum.

A Vsmall baflle wall '89 is mounted across the "40 corner of the cap 11,at one location being pro- V'videdfwithan opening 90 which, togetherwith ;an Iopening :9| at the juncture of the walls 18 and 19, provides'a sound-emitting device or whist'le when Vacuum is applied to theChamber 82. 'The 45 horizontal wal1'-83 is provided with an opening' 50'A bore 92., as shown in Figure 1, communi- .cates with the pulsatormechanism at .a point vwhere 'there is a pulsating pressure being .thebore 42 in the construction illustrated. Saidpulsating pressure istransmitted through a fitting `Z55 93 ,to acompartment 94 formed betweena cap 95and adiaphragm 96. Said cap secures, by screws 91, the diaphragmto a carrier member 98. 'Said member is provided with a large centralopening 99 tospermit securingthe central ;portion 0 of the .diaphragm 9Bto the ypulsator body by .means of the fitting 93.

The .carrier member 98 is formed with an extension 100 which is securedby a screw 10| to a VVertical pin or shaft 1.02. `Said ,pin isjourextending downwardly from the flangel of thepulsator body. The pinVextends lup'wardly, being provided with an arm 1.04 and a spring pawlmember |05 extending from saidz arm. Said pawl member is adapted to en-`70 gage .ratchet teeth formed on an annular ring |01.secured to thecylindrical portion 18 of the cap' 11 `forv rotation therewith. Thespring pawl l05 is so shaped and located relative to the pin |02 thatthe movement of the .cap 95 as affected 75 by the pulsating pressure issufiicient to engage the bottomvll l. 'Vided in the bottomin=registration, respectively,

`:through'pth'efopenings 35 and 35; I

'In the pulsator above'described','the zfitting with the bore 86vsuccessive teethp and to thereby slowly rotate the cap 11. a

It will be noted that index numbers'from l up to 6 are provided onthetop wall 19 of the cap 11 and'th'at a pointer E98 is formed on themember T4. The normal rate of operationV of a milking pulsator is suchthat the numerals indicate the number of minutes required to move thepulsator the angular distanee at which the numerals appear. Theopening'84 is located relative to the numerals and the point lB suchthat when the ratchet pawl has moved'the cap the angular distanceselected, registrationis with the bore 86 and an audible signal isproduced.

:As best shown in Figures 4 and 6, the base II of the body structure lais provided with cored chambers mil and Mil.` Said chambers communicatewith the space around the body IO of the pulsator as defined by thecylindrica-l'lwall 80. A bottom cover l l l is fitted over the annularportion l of the pulsator body, said bottom having fianged edges iittinginto the recesses |3. Said bottom is suitably secured in position on thepulsator body. A gasket M2 is positioned beneath Openingsfl l3 and U4are prowith the 'chambers' 189 and Ill). Screens are 'providediover theopenings to eliminate the entrance of large particles of foreignmaterial.

Filtering material il is mounted in the chambers m9 and Hll to filterout the finer 'particles `"of dirt and foreign material to preventtheir-entrance into the -rn'eclfianisrnl of theVpuls'ator l4v isconnected with a line in vwhich vacuum is produced by suitable meanssuch as a' pump. This source of vacuum is continuo-usfand'isiof asumcient degree below atmos'pl'ie'ricv pressure to operate the slidevalves of the pulsator and the rat'chet device of the timer;

By'means of the Ipassage '59,'fwhich' intersects the bores 26 and 2l,vacuurn -is supplied at` all ytimes to these two bores at the point? oftheir intersection with the passage 19. Vacuuin is also supplied at. alltii'n es through the conduit 81 v''ith the bore 85, As previouslydescribed, the bore 8% is put into communication with the chamber 82when the opening 84 in the platei'83 registers ted, as previouslydescribed.

As the passages in a pulsa'tor of this type extend in all threedirections, it is believed a clearer description can. begiven of theoperation of the pulsator by referringfirst'tothe diagrammatic showingof Figure 7; This showing rather closely `resembles the actual structurein so' far as the diaphragm and the piston valves are concernedalso asto the transverse passages whichintersect these bores. ``The otherconduits and passages are illustrated in their functional relation tosaid transverse passages. Also,l the control restrictions in theconduits to regulate the rate of movement ditfer materially'ffroml theactual constructions shown in the other figures. vAfter a description ofvthe diagrammatic showing; certain comparisons will be made toillustrate the location of certain of the elements in the actualconstruction. p f

Referring to Figure 7, the vacuum supplied from the conduit l' isapplied at all times to the transverse passage |9. With the valves inthe position shown in Figure 7. this vacuum or pressure reduction istransmitted through the bore 2|in the annular-passage 162 provided-bylaAt that time a signal is emitreduction in diameter of the valve 56 belowthe cylindrical sealing portion 59. Vacuum is then delivered through thetransverse lpassage 32 to the conduit .'fll,` which is the conduitleading to one'of the infiations or milker units. With. the valves inthe position shown in Figure 8, suction is being delivered to theinfiation connected to the conduit 3B. Vacuum is also transmittedthrough the conduit 3| and a continuing conduit 64 to the lower end ofthe bore 29 and therefrom through a conduit 41' formed in the pistonvalve 48 to the chamber 12 at the upper side of the diaphragm 45. Arestricting member 66, which is provided with a metered orifice or bleedopening 61, located functionally between the conduit 64 and the conduit3|, restricts the rate of air flow fromithe upper diaphragm chamber T2thereby regulating the time required for the movement of the valve 48 tobring about a second step in the cycle of operation. Said valve movesupwardly at a predetermined rate until the piston portion 52 movesupwardly past the bottom of the passage 4|. Vacuum is then applied tothe conduit 44 leading to the upper end of the bore 2|. At the Sametime, the piston portion of the valve 48 moves upwardly past the lowersurface of the passage 39, whereby the passage 65 is put intocommunication, by means of the recess l, with the passage 34 whichcommunicates with the atmosphere. The pressure difierential thusproduced at the opposite ends of the valve 523 shifts said valveupwardly in the bore 21. After said shift, vacuum which is appliedthrough the transverse passage IB to the passage 33 due to theoverlapping of said passages by the recess tz' on the valve 56, istransmitted to the passage 28 and therefrom to the teat cup infiation.

At the same time vacuurn is applied through the conduits 4B' and 54' tothe lower diaphragm chamber 24, the flow of air from said chamber beingrestricted by an orice member S9 having a metering opening. 69' therein.The withdrawal of air from the chamber 24 moves the valve 48 in adownward direction. With the valve 55 in its upper position, the passage34, which communicates with the atmosphere, is put into communication bymeans of the recess 63 with the passage 32 which communicates throughthe conduits 3| and 64 and the bore 'll and with the upper diaphragmchamber T2. This entrance of air permits the diaphragm chamber to movedownwardly when the valve 56 is in its upper position. As abovedescribed, the valve 48 continues its downward movement until the upperend of the bore 2! is again put into communication with the atmospherethrough the conduit 44, and the lower end of the bore 2! is put intocommunication with the source of vacuum through the conduit 65. Saidvalve then shifts to the position shown in Figure 7 completing the cycle'of operation.

Theoperation'of the actual structure, as shown in` Figures 1 to 6,inclusive, is identical with that shown in the diagrammatic View ofFigure 7. All Athe parts bear corresponding reference characters, andthose which are so similar as to be readily identified will 'not befurther eXplained. There are some difierences, however, which will beexplained to show that the actual structure operates exactly as shown inthe diagrammatic View. In the actual construction, the source of vacuumis obtained through the conduit |4 having the bore l 5 therein, thecavity, and the bore 18 which communicates with the transverse passageit. -ln the diagrammatic showing the bore l5 is reppressure for rotatingsaid member.

7 resented Vas communicating directly' with .the transverse passage l9.In the actual .construction, the infiations are adapted to be connectedto two fittings 25 and 21'. The fitting 26 has 1a bore 28 whichcommunicates With a Vertical bore 29 intersecting the transversepassage133 as best shown in Figure 4. In the diagrammatic showing, thebore 223 is illustrated as communicating di'- rectly with'the transversepassage 33.

In the actual construction, the fitting 27 `s provided with a bore 30which communicates with a Vertical bore 31 intersecting the transversepassage 32. In the diagrammatic showing the bore 3G is represented ascommunicating directly with the transverse passage 32.

In the actual construction, the passage 44 as indicated in thediagrammatic drawing includes 'a Vertical bore 42 and a transverse bore44, the Vertical bore communicating with the transverse passage 4! andthe transverse bore 44 lcommunicatingwith the upper end of the valvebore 2|. In the actual construction,-the passage'65 as illustrated inthe diagrammatic view includes Va vertical bore 4d and a transversepassage as shown in Figure 3 cored in the bottom of the' body IO andcompleted by the cover Ill.

The passage S of the diagram is'illustrated in Figure 6 by a Vertical`bore '30 and a transverse passage 5d The metering member 66 with itsorifice is illustrated in Figure 4. i The conduits Gil' and'' as shownvillustrated in the diagramrnatic view are provided by a construction asshown in Figure 4 and include a Vertical passage 40' and communicatewith 'the transverse passage 33 and the metering member Si!communicating With the lower diaphragm Chamber 24, there being a shortpassage 64' above said metering member.

It will thus be seen thatthe working-;structure as shown .in Figure's I'to 6, inclusive, operates in principle identically with that shown inthe diagrammatic view of Figure '7.

Although a preferred actual embodirnent :has been illustrated, it isunderstood that `applicant claims as his invention all modificationsembodying the principles of the diagrammatic view which fall within thescope of the appended claims.

What is claimedis:

1. A timer for milker pulsators having 'a Vbody structure, means forconnecting a vacuum line with said body, means for connecting a milkerunit to said body and pressure operated valves Within said body forproducing pulsating pressure 'for said milker unit, comprising incombination lthrough said conduit means, means for 'transmitting vacuumto said conduit means, .a signaling device operabie by the fiow of fluidthrough said conduit, means upon actuation of said valve means, andmeans operated by the pulsating i 2. A timer for milker pulsators havinga'body structure, means for .connecting a vacuumv .line with said body,rneansfor connecting a vmilker 'unit to said body and pressure operated'valves within said body for producing pulsating pressure for saidmilker unit, comprising in combination with said body structure, amember .rotatably mounted on said body structure, conduit means.projecting from the body structure beingV adaptable to'slidably engagea vport'ion of 'said member Vduring Vrotation .thereofrmeansfortransmitting f' vacuum 'to saidconduit meanasaid memberbeing providedwith an opening adapted to register with said vacuum conduit at onepoint in the rotation of the member, means communicating with saidopening and the atmosphere including .an observable'indicating device,and means operated'by the pulsatingpressure for rotating said member.,3. A timer for milker pulsators having a body structure, means forconnecting a vacuum line with said body, .means for connecting a milkerunit Vto said body and pressure operated valves withinsaid body forintermittently supplying vacuum and atmospheric pressure to said milkerunit thereby producing pulsations, comprising in combination with saidbody structure, a member rotatably mounted on said body structure,conduit means projecting from the body structure, being adaptable toslidably engage a portion .of said member during .rotation thereof,meansfor transmitting vacuum to said'conduit means, said -member beingprovidedwith an opening adapted to register with said vacuum conduit atone point in the rotation'of the member, means communicating =with .saidopening and the atmosphere including an observableindicating device,means operated by the pulsating. pressure for rotating said member andindex means on the member whereby it may be set at Variable locations-todetermine -the elapsed time until actuation of the indicating device.

4. .A timer for milker pulsators having a body structure, means .forconnecting a vacuum line with said body, means for connecting 'a .milkerunit to said body and pressure operated valves within -said body forproducing pulsating pressure for said .milker unit, comprising incombination with said body structure, a member vrotatably mounted on.said body structure, conduit means vprojectingzfrom themilker bodybeing adaptable .to slidably engage a1portion of said member duringrotation thereof, means for transmitting vacuum to said conduit means,said member being 'provided with an opening adapted to register withsaid vacuum'conduit at one point in the ro- -tation ofA the member,means vcommunicating lwith :said opening :and the 'atmosphere includinga sound-emitting device, and vmeans operated by lthe'pulsatin'g pressurefor rotating said member. 5. vA timer for milker pulsators having a bodystructure, means for connecting a vacuum line with said body, means forconnecting a milker unit to said body 4and lpressure operated valvesVwithin said body for intermittently 'supplying vacuum and atmosphericpressure to said milker ;unit thereby producing pulsations comprising in.combination with said body structure, a member 1rotatably mounted :onsaid body structure, con- .duit means projecting from the Amilker body,be- -ing adaptable'to slidably engage a portion of -said member duringrotation thereof, means 'for transmitting vacuum to said conduit'means,said member being provided with an opening adapted .to `registerwith'said vacuum conduit at one point in the rotation of :the member,meanscommuni- 'cating with'said opening and the atmosphere including 'asound-emitting device, means operated zby the 'pulsating pressure forrotating said mem- 'ber :and indexmeans on the member whereby'it may beset at variable locations to determine 'the Velapsed time Vuntil:emission of an audible signal. 6. A 'timer for milker pulsators havingla body structure, 'means vfor communicating said body witha'vacuumfline, means for connecting a milkser'un'itto said body andpressure operated valves :said body. for vintermittently .supplying '-fapulsating pressureto said milker unit;` comprising in combination withsaid body structure'ai-member rotatably mounted on said body structure,a conduit means projecting from 'the milker body, being adaptable toslidably engage' a portion 'of said member during rotation thereof,means for transmitting vacuum to said conduit means, said member beingprovided with an opening adapted to register with said vacuum conduit atone point in the rotation of the member, means communicating with saidopening 'and the atmosphere including a signaling device, 'and meansoperated by the pulsating pressure for rotating said member, said memberbeing provided with a .plurality of ratchet teeth, a pawl member adaptedto engage said teeth for rotating the rotatable member inlone angulardirection, vacuum operatedlmeans connected to said pawl means 'and to apulsating pressure portion of the milker body whereby said pawl membercontinually rotates the member during operation of the milker, saidratchet teeth being such in number that one rotation of lthe memberrequires the maximum time necessary for' a complete milking operation,'and index means on the rotatable member whereby it may be .set atvariable locations to determine the elapsed time until emission of asignal.

7. A timer for milker pulsators having a body structure, means forcommunicating said body with a vacuum line, means for connecting amilker unit to said body and pressure operated valves Within said bodyfor intermittently lsupplying a pulsating pressure to said milker unit,com'- ,prising in combination with said body structure a memberrotatably mounted on said' body structure, conduit means projecting fromthe-milker body, being adaptable to slidably engage a portion` `of 'saidmember during irotation thereof, means for ltransmitting vacuum to saidconduit rne'ans, said member* being provided with 'an opening adaptedto' register with said vacuum conduit at one point in the rotationof themember, means communicating withV said opening and theatmosphereincluding a sound-emitting device, and meansA operated by 'the pulsatingpressure for rotating said member, said member being provided with aplurality of ratchet teeth, a pawl member, adaptedl to engage said teethfor rotating the rotatable member in one angular direction, vacuumoperated means connected to said pawl means and to a pulsating pressureportion of the milker body whereby said pawl membe: continually rotatesthe member during operation of the milker, said ratchet teeth being suchin number that one rotation of the member requires the maximum timenecessary for a com- -plete milking operation, and index means on therotatable member whereby it may be set at variable locations todetermine the el'apsed time until emission of an audible signal.

8. A timer for milker pulsators having a body structure, means forcommunicating said body with a vacuum line, means for connecting amilker unit to said body and pressure operated valves within said bodyfor intermittently supplying a pulsating pressure to said milker unit,comprising in combination with said body structure a member rotatablymounted on said body structure, conduit means projecting from the milkerbody, being 'adaptable to slidably engage a portion of said memberduring rotation thereof, means for transmitting vacuum to said conduitmeans, said member being provided with an opening adapted to registerwith said vacuum conduit at one point in the rotation of the memofratchet-=teet1`1,l a pawladapted to engagesaid teeth'for1`rotatingf-1t'he -rotatableA member' in one 'a'ng'u1a1'''direction",vacuum' operated means connected to said-'pawl meansiand to av pulsatingpressure'portion of the milker body whereby saidpaw'l*continua1ly"rotates the member during operation of the milker,said ratchet teeth being such in number that one rotation of the memberrequires the maximum time necessary for 'a' complete milking operation;and index means on the member-Wherebyiitmlay rbe set at variablepositions to detern'iine'?A the elapsed time until emission of anaudible signal.

- 9.v A timer for milker pulsators having a body structure, means forcommunicating said body with a vacuum line, means for connecting amilker unit to said body and vacuum operated valves within said body forintermittently supplying 'vacuum-:andy atmospheric pressure to saidmilker unit; comprising in combination with said bo'dystructure, aoaprotatably mounted on said bodystructura'means on said body structurefor centerinigf saidioap and Vfor holding 'resiliently iagainst-movement in an axial direction and for frictionally holding itagainst rotation, a valve plate mountedJ within said cap and forming anaircmpartme'nt'vvith a'portion of said cap, conduit means projectingfrom the milker body, being adaptable to slidably engage said'plateduring rotationthereof, means for transmitting vacuiim to said.body'portion, said plate being provided With an opening adapted toregister with saidvacuum-supplying body portion at one point in vtherotation-of the cap, means communicating betweensaid 'air compartmentand the atmosphere including a sound-emitting construction, theinteriorofv said cap beingprovided with a pluralityof small ratchet teeth, apawl member adapted to'engage said teeth for rotating the cap in oneang'ular direction, vacuum operated means connected to said pavvlmemberiand to a pulsating 'pressure portion of the milker bodywhereb'y-'said pavvl 'member continually rotates the cap during'operation ofthe'milker, said ratchet teeth being'V such i'n numbervthat one rotation3of the cap requires the maximum time necessary for acomplete milking operation, and index means on the cap whereby it may beset at variable locations to determine the elapsed time until emissionof an audible signal.

10. A timer for milker pulsators having a body structure, means forcommunicating said body with a vacuum line, means for connecting amilker unit to said body and vacuum operated valves within said body forintermittently supplying vacuum and atmospheric pressure to said milkerunit, comprising in combination with said body structure, a caprotatably mounted on said body structure, means carried with said capand forming an air compartment therewith, conduit means projecting fromthe milker body, being adaptable to slidably engage said means duringrotation thereof, means for transmitting vacuum to said body portion,said means being provided with an opening adapted to register With saidvacuum-supplying body portion at one point in the rotation of the cap,means communicating between said air compartment and the atmosphereincluding a sound-emitting construction, said cap being provided With aplurality of ratchet teeth, a pawl adapted to engage said teeth forrotating the cap in one angular direction, vacuum

